WHEREAS the applicable provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes relating to law enforcement accreditation have not been substantively revised within the preceding statutory review cycle;

WHEREAS the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this Commonwealth requires legislative action with respect to law enforcement accreditation;

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY:

SECTION 1. Legislative Findings and Declarations of Policy.

The General Assembly hereby finds that the law enforcement accreditation in the Commonwealth requires responsive and efficient statutory governance. It is the declared policy of this Commonwealth to ensure that the regulatory framework governing said law enforcement accreditation is modern, equitable, and aligned with current best practices.

SECTION 2. Rulemaking Authority.

In the event any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or set of circumstances, is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.

SECTION 3. Civil Remedies.

This Act shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the legislative intent to promote fiscal responsibility, governmental efficiency, and the welfare of all citizens of the Commonwealth, and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its remedial purposes.

SECTION 4. Scope and Application.

The Agency shall submit to the Legislative Research Commission and to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue a detailed annual report setting forth performance metrics, expenditure data, and programme outcomes no later than the first day of December following the close of each fiscal year.
Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this Act, or any administrative regulation promulgated thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per violation per day. The Agency shall have authority to assess such penalties following a duly noticed administrative hearing conducted in conformance with KRS Chapter 13B.

SECTION 5. Definitions.

"Applicant" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity that submits a completed application pursuant to this Act.
"Qualified Entity" means any person or organisation that meets the eligibility criteria established pursuant to Section 3 of this Act.
"Governing Body" means the county fiscal court, the municipal legislative body, or such other local governmental entity vested with general legislative authority.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of the relevant Cabinet as designated in the Executive Branch reorganisation order.
"Commissioner" means the duly appointed and confirmed Commissioner of the relevant Department as established pursuant to KRS Chapter 12.

SECTION 6. Effective Date.

This Act shall take effect ninety (90) days following its enactment into law.

SECTION 7. Severability.

In the event any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or set of circumstances, is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.